Knicks trade target believes he's 'the type of player' HC Tom Thibodeau likes

The New York Knicks are expected to be active ahead of the Feb. 8 NBA trade deadline in search of the final piece they need for a playoff run. 

Among the players New York is interested in is Toronto Raptors swingman Bruce Brown, whose situation is being monitored by several teams around the Association. 

The 2023 NBA champion was acquired from the Indiana Pacers last week as part of the Pascal Siakam trade, raising speculation as to whether Toronto will flip him at the deadline as it continues to rebuild. 

The Knicks attempted to sign Brown in free agency last summer but couldn't match the two-year, $45 million deal he inked with the Pacers. However, while the Knicks and Brown couldn't reach an agreement, it appears his decision to sign with Indiana was purely financial rather than a lack of interest in New York. 

Before Toronto's 126-100 loss to New York on Saturday, Brown told reporters that he believes he's “the type of player" Knicks HC Tom Thibodeau admires and would fit seamlessly into his system.

“I am a dog,” Brown said via the New York Post's Jared Schwartz. “I play extremely hard on both ends of the floor. I can do just about whatever [Thibodeau] needs me to do.”

“I play extremely hard,” Brown added. “I would think [I’m] the type of player that he likes.”

Brown has long been a Thibodeau fan and shared Saturday that he thought the 66-year-old would draft him in 2018. Thibodeau, the coach and president of the Minnesota Timberwolves at the time, opted to draft shooting guard Josh Okogie while Brown slid to the second round. Despite being snubbed then, Brown says there's been "nothing but respect for" Thibodeau since.

“Every time we play Thibs, I go up to him and shake his hand, just because of what he’s done,” Brown said. “Nothing but respect for Thibs.”

While Brown didn't make a great impression in his potential audition for the Knicks (eight points on 3-of-8 shooting with three rebounds), he's still "squarely on New York’s radar," per SNY's Ian Begley. Since OG Anunoby made his Knicks debut on Jan. 1, the team is 9-2, boasting the best defensive rating in the NBA (105.1), but the move left a massive hole on the bench that must be filled soon.

There's no denying that Brown fits the mold of Thibodeau's style and that his 12 points per game would be a welcome addition to New York's bench. However, he's a similar type of player as Knicks forward Josh Hart in terms of size and capabilities (albeit slightly more efficient), so Brown might not be the most ideal target given how New York's roster is constructed.  

Even so, if the Knicks were to add someone who can serve as a lead ball handler for the second unit in addition to trading for Brown, they could establish themselves as true contenders in the Eastern Conference.